Is it wrong to ask questions which you KNOW will incite anger, but which have the power to grant enlightenment

Question

I suppose this is a question of philosophics and morality. What I'm getting at, is that people seem to think it's cruel to say things that might offend someone, because "Aww, you hurt their feelings!"

But isn't it immoral as a society, to ignore the issues at hand, due to being afraid of hurting someone's feelings?

Then again, the flip side becomes, "Who's to say what's the greater good? When does the feelings of the individual(s) become outweighed by the feelings of society as a collective?"

What do you think?

Thank you for your responses, I like what I've read so far, but I paint for you a picture with finer lines. . .

Suppose the question is asked with deliberate intent to incite anger, but simultaneously as provocation to a higher goal. Think of it as tempering the steel, if you catch the metaphor.

Then is it right or wrong?

Wow, these are the best answers I've ever seen. I gave everyone down to Amazingly Intelligent a thumb's up (except the first post, but only because they didn't elaborate). Thanks to all of you.

(And Adam.)

Answer 1

The concept of political correctness is out of hand. It is not an issue of morality or ethics,its an issue of telling someone something that they don't want to hear. Plain and simple.

Answer 2

Look, some people get offended if you ask them what time it is. You cant be overly concerned about those. But, I have seen too many questions AND answers that are designed to be offensive. There's no exucuse for that. If you are a Christian, you should not be offensive. The "offensive" of the cross is enough without adding the "offensive" christian to it. A Christian should give an honest answer in an inoffensive manner. As far as Questions go; if a question is asked honestly and inoffensively, then I dont see how it can be considered "offensive". I know some questions are designed to point out perceived difficulties or inconsistentsies in a various belief systems. I do not believe there is anything wrong per se with that. But "name" calling and "personal" attacks should always be avoided. I have noticed that certain cults (JW's) and religions (i.e. Muslim) seem to take ANY disagreement as being a "personal attack". I think that is only in the "eye of the beholder" and cant be avoided. But there isnt really any reason why we cant disagree without being disagreeable. Anyway, thats how I see it.....theBerean

Answer 3

No, it is not wrong to ask questions, even if you know they will incite anger. They are after all, only questions. The anger they incite is in the mind of the person who becomes angry. As a thinking society, we should be able to descern where our anger truly comes from. That being said, these must be questions, not pontifications or untruthful statements in the nature of hate messages. Morality has nothing to do with societies ability to ignore or not ignore issues. As far as the greater good? It must be judged and ascertained by the greater number. An individual never can be more than the collective.

Answer 4

I think there is never anything wrong with asking a question. However, it is not always WHAT you ask, but HOW you ask that may offend.
I know some people are ignorant, and I mean that in the purest definition of the word; namely, they just are not knowledgable. However, some people intentionally ask questions to be inflammatory. They use language that is debasing, and they do do that on purpose.
I have little patience with that.
Also, some people ask questions and, just by the way they pose them, you realize that they have already made up their very closed minds.
In the interest of imparting knowledge, I used to answer these type of questions. I've learned that most are simply asked for the shock value. I usually don't bother anymore.

Answer 5

Actually, we cannot "hurt another's feelings by what we say." Each "hearer" applies meaning to the words used, and then "reacts" or "responds." In doing so, some will claim "you" hurt their feelings, or you hurt someone else's feelings, but even here they're actually dealing with their own feelings, i.e., they'll feel better if the other party feels better because you don't say things they perceive as hurtful. While what I've shared is true, people are people, and most will see you as being the cause of their hurt. Life is about relationships and choices. If you're willing to live with the results of the questions you ask then go for it.

Answer 6

It is definitely immoral to ignore issues at hand. But some people believe that blacks are inferior to whites and think that segregation is an important issue to discuss.* I don't think it's a matter of people getting offended, rather a matter of convincing people of the truth (as they believe it). The people who are offended at my said topic are offended because they don't believe it's the truth and don't understand how anyone can be so far off in their beliefs. They aren't just offended for the heck of it.

*This example in no way reflects my own beliefs.

Answer 7

Did the lads suspended for donning the yank flag t-shirts intervene with the Mexican-American pupils party of CIno De Mayo on could 5? i do no longer keep in mind interpreting or listening to everywhere that they did. i'm assuming that the greater youthful men suspended from the highschool on Wednesday did no longer actively intimidate or attempt to dam different pupils from gazing CInco De Mayo. It they did, then shame on them. in any different case, curiously that the countless Hispanic pupils chosen to be indignant by seeing the yank flag. perhaps people who grew to grow to be almost hysterical merely by fact they seen an American flag on a minor (Non Ameican)trip could be reminded which you may no longer continuously administration the habit of others yet you may almost continuously administration his/her reaction.

Answer 8

If you KNOW it will incite a negative response, you should focus on wording your dose of enlightenment in such a manner that eases the blow. If the question is too in-your-face, you'll cause your audience to instantly tune out, thus accomplishing nothing.

Answer 9

You are totally correct. I find ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with offending people who are closed minded enough to be offended by the truth or simple curiosity. Your intention should not be to offend, but if that's a side effect, don't worry about it.

It's even in my profile, I love to offend people who are easily offended. And they're stupid.

One of the best ways to open someone's mind is to beat them upside the head with reality until they actually start to think rather than just buzz around like little drones.
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That's awesome, vista. Are you single?

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YES!!! Can you feel it? I am gaining power from these thumbs down, they are only proving my point.

Eat it you 'easy-to-offend' people! There should be a name for that... oh wait, there is. Wussy!

Answer 10

That phenomenon you describe is only prevalent in your American culture, but is virtually unknown anywhere else. I am not responsible for your feelings and you are not responsible for mine. I speak my mind. I don't have the time to babysit anyone's feelings. In the end, "what you think of me is none of my business" (It's a book title, you might want to pick it up!) I always speak my mind, if people can't handle it it's not my responsibility. The moment I stop being true to myself for the sake of "people's feelings" I lose personal integrity, hence start to create negative karma. I'm not mean about it but if people have a problem with truth, or other's opinions, or both, then they only have themselves to blame when they finally find out that whom they trusted are cheating on them, lying to them or betraying them. What you put out is what you get. (In other words they are asking for it on deep--and not so deep--level, and the world reflects back at them these poor choices in the aforementioned negative ways . Hope this helps.
Cheers.